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Justice News

Farmingdale, New Jersey, Man Charged With Robbing Two Monmouth County Banks

TRENTON, N.J. – A Farmingdale, New Jersey, man appeared in federal court today to face charges that he recently robbed TD Banks in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and Wall, New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Michael R. Volek, 53, was arrested yesterday and charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery. He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Arpert in Trenton federal court and was detained.

According to the complaint:

On Aug 25, 2017, Volek allegedly entered a TD Bank in Tinton Falls and handed a teller a note that read “put the money in bag now and nobody get hurt.” Volek then told the bank teller “put the money in the bag. Come on, I’m desperate.” The teller handed Volek some cash and he left the bank.

On Aug. 28, 2017, Volek allegedly entered another TD Bank in Wall and handed a teller a note that read “Put the money in bag now. This is no joke. I will shoot you. $100. $50.” Volek then told the teller “Give me money. If you don’t, I’m going to cut you.” The teller handed Volek some cash and he left the bank. Volek was arrested later that day at a motel in Neptune, New Jersey.

The charge in the complaint carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Enterprise Task Force (to include representatives from Bradley Beach Police Department, Brick Police Department, Marlboro Police Department, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Toms River Police Department), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni; the Tinton Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief John A. Scrivanic; the Wall Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ken Brown; and the Neptune Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief James M. Hunt Jr., with the investigation leading to Volek’s arrest.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Joseph Gribko of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty